Factory-farmed dairy cows are given rBGH (human growth hormone) to increase milk production. Side effect: mastitis, a condition that is not only painful but causes cows to pump out bacteria and pus. The cows are treated with antibiotics, which a recent Stanford University study shows may actually be further spreading Salmonella. Never mind all the other health issues from antibiotics.

Factory-farmed dairy cows are fed grains – which their digestive system is not equipped to manage. When cows eat grains instead of their natural diet of grass, it leads to a more acidic digestive environment, which makes them more vulnerable to E. coli food poisoning and bacterial growth. They lack the nutrients that grass-fed cows get from their natural diet and sun exposure, including the super nutrient CLA, a beneficial fatty acid that has been found to lower risk of heart attack, promote lean muscle and decreased body fat, and even prevent cancer.

Grass-fed cows also have higher concentrations of Omega 3, vitamins A, D, and B-12, calcium, and other vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and enzymes. Because of the natural enzymatic activity, many people who are “lactose-intolerant” are able to enjoy raw, grass-fed dairy whereas processed dairy, which has been stripped of these vital nutrients and enzymes, wreaks havoc on their digestive system.

Adding fermented foods to your diet is a great way to rebalance your gut microbiome and improve your digestion, mood, focus, brain functioning, endocrine function, immune system, and overall health. Much of our lifestyle lends itself to damaging our gut health, everything from excessive antibiotic intake to pesticides to sugar and processed foods. Even the water we drink can wreak havoc due to the chlorine, fluoride, and other impurities. This makes it even more important to add foods like kefir, yogurt, fermented sauerkraut and vegetables, grass-fed bone broth, kombucha tea, and kimchi to our regular diet.
When shopping, always opt for grass-fed, organic sources. Besides being higher in nutrients overall, they aren’t broken down by over-processing, chemicals, pesticides, etc. – with the added bonus of supporting the little guy, i.e. local farmers and small businesses. FarmFreshDirect2U.com offers a range of living probiotic and prebiotic foods packed with beneficial gut microflora, including:

Grass-fed Raw Dairy

Yogurt – Goat

Yogurt – Cow

Finnish Style Raw Yogurt

Creamy Yogurt

Milk Kefir Grains

Fermented Foods

Salsa Verde

Pickled Beets

Fermented Curried Cauliflower/Broccoli

Fermented Country Vegetable Mix

Fermented Sauerkraut – Dill

Fermented Sauerkraut – Spicy

Fermented Sauerkraut – Garlic/Dill

Fermented Sauerkraut – Garlic

Fermented Sauerkraut – Jalapeno

Fermented Sauerkraut – Dill/Carrot

Fermented Sauerkraut – Original

Fermented Sauerkraut – Amish Made

Fermented Sauerkraut – Habanero

Cortido: Latin American Sauerkraut

Honey Mustard Kimchee

Organic Sauerkraut Juice

Kefir is a restorative drink, rich in probiotics, enzymes, macro and micronutrients, countless vitamins and minerals.Kombucha tea is an adaptogenic drink that supports healthy digestionGrass-fed bone broth is boosts gut health and repairs digestive lining.Fermented sauerkraut is nutrient rich, anti-inflammatory, and chock full of beneficial probiotics that promote microbial equilibrium.
Consuming these and other naturally probiotic foods has been linked with improvements in a number of issues; countless people have experienced a reduction in symptoms of:

Dietary fat has been villainized since the 1950s. The fact of the matter is, not all fats were created equal. Fat from sources such as raw pastured butter, unrefined coconut oil, grass-fed beef, wild salmon, pastured eggs, and raw milk provide the body with vital macronutrients. From the endocrine system to cognition, healthy fats play a key role in functioning.

Raw butter: unheated, unprocessed, unpasteurized, un-homogenized, i.e. contains all of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that nature intended. It is essentially a nutritional powerhouse, chock full of vitamins and nutrients.

Furthermore, many people who are “lactose intolerant” or “casein intolerant” are able to enjoy raw pastured dairy products such as raw milk, butter, cheese, kefir, and yogurt. This is because it is actually pasteurized dairy products that are to blame for these “intolerances.” The way they have been manipulated not only robs them of essential nutrients but also enzymes that aid the body in breaking them down and absorbing said nutrients.

Raw butter and dairy products are not only safe but overall superior food sources than their factory counterparts. In fact, raw butter and dairy from pastured cows, who are allowed to roam pasture and remain free from GMOs, chemicals, pesticides, and antibiotics, are real life superfoods. Raw butter in particular is rich in a multitude of nutrients that aid in the body in a number of ways:

Raw butter is chock full of highly absorbable forms of Vitamin A and iodine, which are both vital nutrients for thyroid health and functioning

Like unrefined coconut oil, raw butter is rich in lauric, which helps with digestive problems including candida

Raw butter is a rich source of antioxidants which have been shown to combat cancer and protect against artery weakening

Raw butter is a natural source of Vitamin D, which helps promote strong bones and teeth

Here are some tips to stay on track – or get back on track – with healthy eating this holiday season:

Fill up on protein, healthy fats and veggies before going for the sweet stuff/carbs.

Eat a healthy, filling meal before going to holiday parties and events.

Keep your gut health in check – this can help with mood, cravings, and digestion.

Choose organic & grass-fed meats, dairy, fruits and veggies – especially apples, potatoes and other foods that don’t have a protective skin. Besides protecting you from the dangers of antibiotics and fillers, pesticides, GMOs and chemicals, grass-fed foods have also been shown to have a higher nutrient content, including vital nutrients like omega 3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), vitamins B, D, E, and K, magnesium, and more.

Substitute raw sugar in place of other sweeteners –it is chockfull of anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial benefits along with delicious taste.

Use pastured eggs in your baking – not only are they more flavorful and lower in saturated fat, they have more nutrients which many find makes them more filling – they are naturally rich in omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin A, E, D, B12, beta carotene, and folic acid.

Choose grass-fed butter in your sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, cakes, cookies, pies, and more – it’s another great source of CLA, with a deliciously rich flavor – and the perfect ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 fatty acids

Wheat, refined sugars and alcohol wreak havoc on your health, throwing off digestion, ph levels, appetite, even mood and cognition. They are largely to blame for the holiday blues as they can leave us feeling moody, irritable, foggy, sluggish, anxious, irritable, depressed – and craving more for several days after indulging. Mood and cognition are dependent on the nutrients and messages from our gut; a healthy gut is key to getting back to our vibrant, energetic, happy selves.

Kombucha tea is an adaptogen and supports healthy digestion, which in turn supports healthy brain functioning, mood, and cognition. Kombucha tea is a rich source of B vitamins and Vitamin C. B vitamins have been found to help stabilize mood, regulate anxiety, improve concentration, and even help fight depression. Vitamin C boosts immunity and suppresses the release of cortisol, i.e. stress-hormone that has been linked to stubborn belly fat, impaired mental clarity and functioning, depressed mood, and hypertension.